Liam Deane, a father convicted of murdering his newborn daughter, Luna, was discovered dead in his prison cell just a month after receiving his life sentence. Authorities allege that fellow inmate John Westland is responsible for Deane’s death; Westland has since appeared in court regarding the incident.
Liam Deane’s case drew widespread condemnation after he admitted to fatally punching and shaking his 2-day-old daughter because she “would not stop crying.” Luna succumbed to her injuries three days later, leading to Deane’s life imprisonment.
During the trial, Liam Deane confessed to causing all of Luna’s injuries, expressing that he lost control when she wouldn’t settle. The prosecutor described his actions as inexplicable, while Deane’s defense attorney, Richard Wright, noted, “His actions were wholly and utterly out of character for him. The defendant will have a very long time to reflect upon his terrible behavior.”
Luna’s mother provided a heartfelt statement, saying, “Seeing Luna on life support in the hospital will last with me forever. I can’t describe how that felt. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.”
Public reaction to Liam Deane’s death has been mixed, with some individuals expressing a sense of justice served, while others debate the morality of inmate-inflicted punishment.
